North ends military accord with South, vows to deploy 'new-type' weapons

North Korea said it will restore all "military measures" suspended under the agreement between the two Koreas signed on Sept. 19, 2018.

U.S. military surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft U-2S Dragon Lady landing at the U.S. Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi, on Wednesday. The South Korean government has decided to suspend the inter-Korean agreement signed in 2018, which included a no-fly zone along the Military Demarcation Line. [YONHAP]

North Korea said it will restore all "military measures" suspended under the agreement between the two Koreas signed on Sept. 19, 2018.

The North Korean defense ministry on Thursday said that it is withdrawing all measures that it took to prevent the heightening of military tensions between the two Koreas.

It added that it will deploy "more powerful armed forces and new-type military hardware" along the military demarcation line (MDL)

North Korea blamed South Korea for the intensifying military tensions and warned that South Korea has crossed the "red line."

The North Korean defense ministry added that such "hysteria" by the South Korean government justifies its nuclear program and modernization of its military.

Pyongyang's response on Thursday came a day after the South Korean government announced partially suspending the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement in response to North Korea's surprise launching of a spy satellite on Tuesday.

North Korea, through its state media, the Korean Central News Agency, on Thursday claimed that the launching of the reconnaissance satellite is "a step pertaining the right to self-defense and the legitimate and just exercise of sovereignty to closely monitor and thoroughly cope with the enemies various military moves."

The South Korean government has decided to suspend the no-fly zone that bans the deployment of fighter jets and reconnaissance planes, including drones, 20 to 40 kilometers (12.4 to 24.8 miles) along the MDL.

The agreement, which was signed between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and then-South Korean President Moon Jae-in, has been considered by critics to have limited South Korea's ability to monitor North Korean military activities.

The Yoon Suk Yeol's government has been mulling over suspending the inter-Korean agreement following North Korea's series of military provocations.

A year ago, it even sent in drones that are believed to have traveled as close to the presidential office in Yongsan.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]